The Tall Oak Gala 2024

 The Tall Oak Gala for Oak Farm is an annual fundraiser fancy event that Nate and I always enjoy attending.  This year the theme was 1920's Flappers and so we went all out with feathers in our hair and top hats.  There is a huge silent auction and the kids' classes each create pieces of incredible art to auction off.  We always end up donating money or bidding on an auction item.  This year we bid and won Pink Droyd concert tickets for October.  Looking forward to finding out all about Pink Floyd & the tribute band Pink Droyd. 

Kaylee's Trip to Utah

 The kids get to pick a place to travel for their 13th birthday.  Kaylee really wanted to visit her cousin Bella in Utah for her trip choice.  So we went to Utah in mid February so we could ski with the Avantguard Ski event with Gramps and cousins.  

It was a lot of fun traveling with K.  We had a hotel near Thanksgiving Point and Kaylee & Bella spent a ton of time at the hotel pool swimming.  Bella took off a day or two of school to hang with Kaylee and their friendship is so very special.  On Thursday we went skiing at Snow Basin with the Avantguard event.  Gramps and Spencer joined Kaylee, Bella and me.  We did some crazy slopes up the Utah mountains.  We made some great memories out in Utah and can't wait to come visit again!

Owen's Broken Arm

 On Valentine's Day, Nate and I went out for a date night, leaving the kids home.  Apparently the kids were having a great time playing a jumping-and-flipping-off-the-couch game in the living room.  They went so far as to tally their progress and make it a competition amongst themselves.  Well, when Owen took another jump, he landed on his forearms on the hard floor.  Of course he cried and then got distracted by a movie and fell asleep on the couch.  

When Nate & I got home, we quietly got ready for bed.  Suddenly, we hear a painful cry in the living room.  Owen had woken up, gotten up to get a drink from the fridge, and when he attempted to hold his cup while pushing the water button on the fridge, pain went through him with the weight of the cup and the cup fell.  We went out to find out what was going on.  His crying would not let up.  We examined his arm and noticed it swelling near his elbow.  He wouldn't move it and wouldn't let us touch it.  We realized it was extremely painful for him and that it certainly was not right.  

We gathered him up and took him to the ER at Parkview.  He was so sweet all bundled up and cozy, letting us hold him close.  Poor little guy was in pain.  They got x-rays that showed a fracture in his upper arm bone near his elbow.  They got him into a room and he somewhat seemed to enjoy the experience :-).  He liked the attention from the nurses & doctors, the movies he got to choose, the cool bed with buttons, the free snacks and drinks they brought him.  He was a little champ!  As long as he didn't bend his arm, he was happy and ok.  The doc splinted his arm and put him in a sling and sent us home after a bit.  

We got Owen settled, got the kids off to school the next morning, and headed in to get his arm casted at the orthopedic doctor.  Again, he was a champ.  He picked his colors, orange & green, just so happened to be Oak Farm colors :-).  And of course he was so excited to show that cast off to friends and get lots of signatures.  This was an experience he will not forget!  

After about 2 weeks, Owen was able to get his cast removed.  He made sure to get lots of signatures from all his friends and family, even the dog.  He was a trooper getting it cut off his arm.  

Piano Recitals

 The kids take Suzuki piano lessons from Mary Todd and they are thriving.  They had a piano recital at the Downtown Public Library on a stage with a beautiful grand piano.  Their music was beautiful.  And their confidence was incredible.  Great job kiddos!

Good Old Farm Care

 As a family we take turns doing weekend farm care for the Oak Farm farm animals.  Kaylee in the middle school takes care of the animals every day at school.  The farm has 2 donkeys, 3 cows, 2 alpacas, chickens, ducks, lots of sheep & goats, even baby goats!!  When we went to do farm care there were 4 or 5 brand new baby goats & lambs.  When we drive up to the farm, the animals are screaming and skwaking because they are starving.  They look at us with longing for food; it is so funny.  We split up the animals and each of us fill their food bins and their hay bales.  We take our mud boots because we have to slop through manure and poop.  Once we get everyone fed, that barn is quiet and peaceful.  Its fun to experience caring for animals and to follow Kaylee's lead on what to do and how to do it at the farm.  

Grandpa’s 77th birthday!

We celebrated grandpa Routsong 77th birthday! We are so glad he lives next-door and can see him all the time now. Happy birthday, grandpa!

Kaylee’s Semi Formal

Kaylee attended her first semi formal dance for Middle School. All the girls got all dressed up and fancy and the boys dressed up in suits. It took place at the wellness center at Oak farm and they planned and prepped for a Hollywood themed formal event. It was fun to help Kaylee prepare for her dance and, when we picked her up, she and her friends were all giggles and laughs. They had a blast and can’t wait for the next semi formal.